System for monitoring a person&#39;s location in a defined area

ABSTRACT

A system for monitoring a person&#39;s location in a defined area (“monitoring system”) according to the present invention includes a plurality of ID badges remote from a plurality of ID readers and a CPU. Each ID badge includes a badge transmitter and a badge receiver, each ID reader includes a reader transmitter and a reader receiver. An alarm and a plurality of kiosks are preferably included. The respective ID readers detect the presence of the ID badges and communicate their respective positions to the CPU. If an ID badge exits the defined area or is disabled, the alarm is activated. The kiosks may be used to add interactivity to the monitoring system, and the ID badges may also include interactive elements. The CPU may perform various additional functions, such as directing a wearer of an ID badge to a destination and conveying information to the kiosks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a monitoring device. In particular,the present invention relates to a system for monitoring a person'slocation in a defined area.

In the United States alone, amusement parks currently attract more than300 million visitors a year. Countless other people visit large indoorcasinos, shopping malls, and similar destinations. Safety andconvenience are important to these visitors, and a system that providesor enhances these qualities in a user-friendly and cost-effective mannerwould be welcomed. In particular, a system that eliminates childabductions, tracks lost guests, and helps guests communicate, navigate,and reunite would solve many problems associated with thesedestinations.

Various proposals for systems that monitor people are found in the art,such as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,742,233; 6,014,080; 6,243,039; 6,278,370;6,362,778; 6,396,403; 6,569,011; and 6,606,556. While assumablyeffective for their intended purposes, none of the above proposalsprovide such an integrated and interactive system for monitoring peoplein a defined area that adds comparable safety and convenience.Therefore, it is desirable to have a system for monitoring a person'slocation in a defined area that is unobtrusive, can be used in a varietyof settings, is able to monitor and distinguish between multiple people,activates an alarm when the system is disabled, adds convenience throughsuch functions as mapping and directing, and is inexpensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system for monitoring a person's location in a defined area(“monitoring system”) according to the present invention includes aplurality of ID badges remote from a plurality of ID readers and a CPU.Each ID badge includes a badge transmitter and a badge receiver, each IDreader includes a reader transmitter and a reader receiver. An alarm anda plurality of kiosks are preferably included. The respective ID readersdetect the presence of the ID badges and communicate their respectivepositions to the CPU. If an ID badge exits the defined area or isdisabled, the alarm is activated. The kiosks may be used to addinteractivity to the monitoring system, and the ID badges may alsoinclude interactive elements. The CPU may perform various additionalfunctions, such as directing a wearer of an ID badge to a destinationand conveying information to the kiosks.

The monitoring system may be employed in any defined area. A wearer of arespective ID badge may be automatically located and identified asfollows. A respective ID reader transmitter sends a query signal tosearch for all nearby ID badges, and the respective wearer's ID badgereceiver receives the query signal. The respective wearer's ID badgetransmitter then sends a reply signal that includes a badge transmissionidentifier corresponding to the respective ID badge. The reply signal isreceived by the respective ID reader receiver. The respective ID readerthen sends the reply signal along with a reader transmission identifiercorresponding to the respective ID reader to the CPU. When the CPUreceives the respective reply signal, it uses its programming orcircuitry to recognize the respective badge and reader transmissionidentifiers and to associate these respective identifiers with thecorresponding ID badge and ID reader. Thus, the location of therespective ID badge is known to the CPU.

These functions may be implemented using RFID (Radio FrequencyIdentification) technology. Essentially, a stationary reader sends out aradio signal of a particular frequency. A “tag” or “badge” responds tothis signal by “replying” in a way that alerts the reader that the taghas just entered its range. This information can then be used to drawconclusions about the location of the tagged object. In passive RFIDsystems, the tag does not require a battery. Instead, the energy of thereader signal provides the energy necessary to reply. The circuitryrequired is exceedingly small—not much bigger than a grain of rice.These devices can also be very unobtrusive and have lengthy life-spans.The largest disadvantage of passive systems is that the reader mustprovide a powerful transmission in order to power the tag. This resultsin large power requirements and limits the signal range. Generally thetag must be within a few feet of the reader to be “seen”.

Active RFID systems are powered by a battery onboard the tag. When thetag detects the reader signal, it transmits a reply. Some active systemshave a range of hundreds of feet, but more importantly multiple tags canbe identified simultaneously. The tag can also respond independently ofthe reader, such as activating if an attempt is made to disable it.

Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a system formonitoring a person's location in a defined area that affords securityby protecting against abductions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a system for monitoring aperson's location in a defined area, as aforesaid, that adds conveniencefor the system's users.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a system formonitoring a person's location in a defined area, as aforesaid, that canbe used in a variety of conditions, such as inside, outside, etc.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a system formonitoring a person's location in a defined area, as aforesaid, that isable to monitor and distinguish between multiple people.

A further object of this invention is to provide a system for monitoringa person's location in a defined area, as aforesaid, that activates analarm when the system is disabled.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a system formonitoring a person's location in a defined area, as aforesaid, that iscost-effective.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example,embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ID badge according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a kiosk and two ID readers according tothe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the components of the monitoringsystem according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the components of the monitoringsystem according to another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating one operation of the monitoringsystem as in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart supplementing the flow chart in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart supplementing the flow chart in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart supplementing the flow chart in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating another operation of the monitoringsystem as in FIGS. 3 and 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A system for monitoring a person's location in a defined area accordingto the present invention will now be described in detail with referenceto FIGS. 1 through 9 of the accompanying drawings. More particularly, asystem for monitoring a person's location in a defined area (“monitoringsystem”) 100 includes a plurality of ID badges 110 remote from aplurality of ID readers 120 and a CPU 140 (FIGS. 3 and 4).

Each respective ID badge 110 has a badge receiver 114 for receivingquery signals 182 from a respective ID reader 120 and a badgetransmitter 112 for transmitting reply signals 184 and alarm signals 186(FIGS. 3 and 4). Each respective badge transmitter 112 has apredetermined badge transmission identifier different from apredetermined badge transmission identifier of any other badgetransmitter 112, and each respective ID badge 110 includes means 116(FIGS. 3 and 4) for including a respective badge transmission identifierin respective reply and alarm signals 184, 186. The tag transmissionidentifier is preferably a unique modulation, though other identifiersare of course possible. This unique modulation may be obtained byincluding a respective modulator in each respective ID badge 110, thoughother devices known in the art may be used.

Each respective ID badge 110 preferably includes a microcontroller 118in communication with a power source 111 and a display 119 for conveyinginformation to a wearer of the respective ID badge 110 (FIGS. 3 and 4).The display 119 is preferably a LED 119a array or a LCD screen 119b(FIG. 1), though other types of displays would also be appropriate,including audio displays 119c (FIG. 3). Each microcontroller 118preferably includes programming or circuitry to actuate the transmissionof an alarm signal 186 by the respective badge transmitter 112 if therespective ID badge 110 is disabled.

While other technologies may be used, the plurality of ID readers 120 ispreferably a plurality of RFID readers 120 and the plurality of IDbadges 110 is preferably a plurality of RFID badges 110. To be morespecific, each respective RFID badge 110 is preferably an active RFIDbadge 110 having the power source 111 for powering the respective IDbadge transmitter 112.

Each respective ID reader 120 has a reader transmitter 122 fortransmitting query signals 182, other unprocessed signals 180, andprocessed signals 190 and a reader receiver 124 for receiving respectiveunprocessed and processed signals 180, 190 (FIGS. 3 and 4). Theprocessed signals 190 include all signals originating from the CPU 140,and the unprocessed signals 180 include all signals not originating fromthe CPU 140. Each respective ID reader 120 has a predetermined readertransmission identifier different from a predetermined readertransmission identifier of any other ID reader 120 and circuitry orother means for including the respective reader transmission identifierin communications with the CPU 140.

The CPU 140 may be in communication with a data input device 146 forinputting data to the CPU 140 (FIGS. 3 and 4). A data storage unit 147is in communication with the CPU 140 for maintaining ID badgeinformation (FIGS. 3 and 4). The CPU 140 may also be in communicationwith a CPU transmitter 142 for transmitting respective processed signals190 to the respective ID reader receivers 124 and a CPU receiver 144 forreceiving respective unprocessed signals 180 from the respective IDreader transmitters 122 (FIG. 4).

The CPU 140 is programmed to recognize a respective badge transmissionidentifier included in respective reply and alarm signals 184, 186 andto associate the respective badge transmission identifier with acorresponding ID badge 110. The CPU 140 is also programmed to recognizea respective reader transmitter identifier included in communicationsfrom respective ID readers 120 and to associate the respective readertransmitter identifier with a corresponding ID reader 120. The CPU 140may also be programmed to selectively associate together respective IDbadges 110 for allowing a wearer of one associated ID badge to accessinformation about a wearer of another associated ID badge 110. The CPU140 may of course include circuitry for completing the above-mentionedtasks instead of being programmed to do so.

While the means for communicating between the CPU 140 and the pluralityof ID readers 120 preferably includes the CPU transmitter 142, the CPUreceiver 144, the ID reader transmitter 122, and the ID reader receiver124 as described above (FIG. 4), other means for communicating arepossible. There may be an electrical connection between the CPU 140 andthe plurality of ID readers 120, for example (FIG. 3).

The monitoring system 100 may also include a plurality of kiosks 130(FIGS. 3 and 4). The respective kiosks 130 may be remotely positioned ina spaced-apart relationship relative to the CPU 140 for allowing arespective wearer of a respective ID badge 110 to access informationfrom the CPU 140 that is pertinent to himself. Each respective kiosk 130may include a kiosk input device 136 for inputting data (FIGS. 3 and 4),a kiosk display 138 for displaying information (FIGS. 3 and 4), a kiosktransmitter 132 for transmitting respective unprocessed signals 180(FIG. 4), and a kiosk receiver 134 for receiving respective processedsignals 190 (FIG. 4). At least one kiosk 130 may also include a moneyacceptor 137 (FIG. 3). The kiosk transmitter 132, the kiosk receiver134, the ID reader transmitter 122, and the ID reader receiver 124 maybe cooperatively used to communicate respective unprocessed andprocessed signals 180, 190 between the kiosk 130 and the ID reader 120.Other means of communicating are of course possible, however. There maybe an electrical connection between a respective kiosk 130 and arespective ID reader 120, for example. A respective ID reader 120 may bepositioned adjacent each respective kiosk 130 for detecting the presenceof a respective ID badge 110.

If at least one kiosk 130 includes a money acceptor 137, the CPU 140 maybe programmed to associate a respective amount of money with arespective ID badge 110 and to update the respective amount of moneyassociated with a respective ID badge 110 according to an amount ofmoney accepted by the money acceptor 137. The CPU 140 may of courseinclude circuitry for completing the above-mentioned tasks instead ofbeing programmed to do so.

The CPU 140 may include circuitry or programming for guiding an ID badge110 wearer to a destination determined by the wearer at a respectivekiosk 130. This preferably includes selectively actuating a respectiveID badge display 119. In the preferred embodiment, respective ID badgedisplays 119 include a plurality of LEDs 119a positioned in an array toindicate direction, each respective LED 119a having a respectiveposition in the array indicative of a respective direction. The array ispreferably a circular array (FIG. 1). Actuating a respective ID badgedisplay 119, then, includes selectively actuating a respective LED 119aaccording to the position of the respective LED 119a in the array.

An alarm 148 may be electrically connected to the CPU 140 (FIGS. 3 and4). Each respective ID badge 110 may contain circuitry or programmingfor actuating transmission of a respective alarm signal 186 on demandand if the respective ID badge 110 is removed or disabled. The CPU 140may include circuitry or programming for actuating the alarm 148 whenthe CPU 140 receives a respective alarm signal 186.

In use, the monitoring system 100 may be employed in any defined area,such as an amusement park. At an entrance point or some otherpredetermined point, respective ID badges 110 are attached to respectivewearers. Fees may of course be charged for using the monitoring system100. The CPU 140 associates the respective ID badges 110 with theirwearers and may also selectively associate together respective ID badges110 to correspond to groups or parties. This information is stored inthe data storage unit 146.

The respective ID readers 120 are strategically located throughout thedefined area. Respective ID readers 120 are ideally located adjacent allpath bottlenecks, adjacent all entrances and exits to the defined area,adjacent at least one attraction, and as further required to maintainbroad (though not necessarily comprehensive) coverage. If a respectiveID reader 120 is positioned adjacent at least one attraction, the CPUpreferably includes programming or circuitry for determining a wait timeat the attraction based upon the number of ID badges 110 detected at theattraction. This wait time may be determined very accurately because thenumber of ID badges 110 in line may be precisely known.

The respective kiosks 130 may also be strategically located throughoutthe defined area, with the emphasis being on locating the respectivekiosks 130 conveniently for the respective wearers and away from pathbottlenecks to keep from hindering traffic flow. As noted above, arespective ID reader 120 is preferably located adjacent each respectivekiosk 130 so that when a respective wearer approaches a respective kiosk130 he may be automatically identified and information pertinent to himmay be automatically displayed on the respective kiosk display 138 (FIG.2). This means the respective wearer does not have to manually input hisidentification through the kiosk input device 136.

A respective wearer may be automatically located and identified asfollows. The respective ID reader transmitter 122 sends a query signal182 to search for a nearby ID badge 110, and the respective wearer's IDbadge receiver 114 receives the query signal 182 (FIG. 3). Therespective wearer's ID badge transmitter 112 then sends a reply signal184 that includes the badge transmission identifier corresponding to therespective ID badge 110 (FIG. 3). The reply signal 184 is received bythe ID reader receiver 124 (FIG. 3). The ID reader 120 then sends thereply signal 184 along with the reader transmission identifiercorresponding to the respective ID reader 120 to the CPU 140. This maybe accomplished using the respective ID reader transmitter 122 and theCPU receiver 144 (FIG. 4) or through an electrical connection as notedabove (FIG. 3). When the CPU 140 receives the respective reply signal184, it uses its programming or circuitry to recognize the respectivebadge and reader transmission identifiers and to associate theserespective identifiers with the corresponding ID badge 110 and ID reader120. Thus, the location of the ID badge 110 is known to the CPU 140, andcorresponding location information is maintained in the data storageunit 146.

When at a respective kiosk 130, the wearer of a respective ID badge 110may use the respective kiosk input device 136 to request informationfrom the CPU 140. An example of steps performed by the monitoring system100 at an amusement park is shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 through8. It is understood that these steps correspond to a respective ID badge110 and a respective kiosk 130.

In process step S1, the respective ID reader 120 adjacent the kiosk 130detects an ID badge 110 as described in detail above. The process thenproceeds to step S2, where the CPU 140 communicates personal datacorresponding to the ID badge 110 to the kiosk 130. The process thenproceeds to step S3, where the kiosk display 138 exhibits a park mapwith the location of the ID badge 110 and any associated ID badges 110indicated. The wearer of the respective ID badge 110 then makes aselection using the kiosk input device 136. The process then proceeds tostep S4.

In process step S4, the kiosk 130 determines whether the wearer of theID badge 110 is selecting a ride. If so, the process is directed to stepS5. If not, the process is directed to step S6.

In process step S5, the kiosk display 138 exhibits the ride descriptionand other general information for the selected ride. The kiosk display138 also exhibits an estimated wait time for the ride as communicated tothe kiosk 130 by the CPU 140. The process then proceeds to step S5a(FIG. 6). In process step S5a, the kiosk display 138 inquires whetherthe wearer wishes to begin a search. If the wearer uses the kiosk inputdevice 136 to indicate that he does wish to begin a search, the processis directed to step S5b. If the wearer uses the kiosk input device 136to indicate that he does not wish to begin a search, the process isdirected to step S6 (FIG. 5).

In process step S5b, the kiosk display 138 exhibits the shortest coursethrough the park from the wearer's current location to the ride beingsought. The process then continues to step S5c, where the kiosk display138 instructs the wearer to exit the kiosk 130 and follow the directionson his ID badge display 119. The process then continues to step S6 (FIG.5).

In process step S6, the kiosk 130 determines whether the wearer of theID badge 110 selected a show venue in step S3. If so, the process isdirected to step S7. If not, the process is directed to step S8.

In process step S7, the kiosk display 138 exhibits general information,available showtimes, and ticket information as communicated to the kiosk130 by the CPU 140. The process then continues to step S7a (FIG. 7).

In process step S7a, the kiosk display 138 inquires whether the wearerwishes to begin a search. If the wearer uses the kiosk input device 136to indicate that he does wish to begin a search, the process is directedto step S7b. If the wearer uses the kiosk input device 136 to indicatethat he does not wish to begin a search, the process is directed to stepS7d.

In process step S7b, the kiosk display 138 exhibits the shortest coursethrough the park from the wearer's current location to the venue beingsought. The process then continues to step S7c, where the kiosk display138 instructs the wearer to exit the kiosk 130 and follow the directionson his ID badge display 119. The process then continues to step S7d.

In process step S7d, the kiosk display 138 inquires whether the wearerwishes to purchase tickets. If the wearer uses the kiosk input device136 to indicate that he does wish to purchase tickets, the process isdirected to step S7e. If the wearer uses the kiosk input device 136 toindicate that he does not wish to purchase tickets, the process isdirected to step S8 (FIG. 5).

In process step S7e, the kiosk display 138 prompts the wearer to enterinformation on desired showtimes and number of tickets using the kioskinput device 136, and the wearer does so. The tickets may be purchasedusing money stored in an account corresponding to the respective IDbadge, a credit or debit card, or cash accepted by the kiosk moneyacceptor 137. The process then continues to step S8 (FIG. 5).

In process step S8, the kiosk 130 determines whether the wearer of theID badge 110 selected an associated ID badge 110 in step S3. If so, theprocess is directed to step S9. If not, the process is directed to stepS10.

In process step S9, the kiosk display 138 exhibits the name of thewearer of the associated ID badge 110 and the location of the associatedID badge 110. The process then continues to step S9a (FIG. 8).

In process step S9a, the kiosk display 138 inquires whether the wearerwishes to begin a search. If the wearer uses the kiosk input device 136to indicate that he does wish to begin a search, the process is directedto step S9b. If the wearer uses the kiosk input device 136 to indicatethat he does not wish to begin a search, the process is directed to stepS9d.

In process step S9b, the kiosk display 138 exhibits the shortest coursethrough the park from the wearer's current location to the wearer beingsought. The process then continues to step S9c, where the kiosk display138 instructs the wearer to exit the kiosk 130 and follow the directionson his ID badge display 119. The process then continues to step S9d.

In process step S9d, the kiosk display 138 inquires whether the wearerwishes to send a text message to the associated ID badge 110. If thewearer uses the kiosk input device 136 to indicate that he does wish tosend a message, the process is directed to step S9e. If the wearer usesthe kiosk input device 136 to indicate that he does not wish to send amessage, the process is directed to step S10 (FIG. 5).

In process step S9e, the kiosk display 138 prompts the wearer to enterthe message using the kiosk input device 136, and the wearer does so.The process then continues to step S10 (FIG. 5).

In process step S10, the CPU 140 determines whether the wearer of therespective ID badge 110 is still in the respective kiosk 130 by usinginformation communicated from the adjacent ID reader 120. If so, theprocess is directed to step S3. If not, the process is directed to stepS11, where the process is ended.

As shown above, a respective wearer may use the monitoring system 100 toguide the respective wearer in the defined area. A destination may bechosen using a kiosk 130, as described in steps S5a, S7a, and S9a above,for example. An example of steps performed by the monitoring system 100in order to guide and direct a respective wearer to a destination isshown in the flowchart of FIG. 9.

In process step S20, a respective ID reader 120 detects the respectiveID badge 110 by sending out query signals 182 using the respective IDreader transmitter 122. The respective ID badge receiver 114 receivesthese query signals 182, and the respective ID badge transmitter 112transmits a reply signal 184 including its badge transmission identifierto the respective ID reader receiver 124 (FIG. 3). The process thencontinues to step S21, where the respective ID reader 120 communicatesthe location of the respective ID badge 110 to the CPU 140. The processthen continues to step S22.

In process step S22, the CPU determines whether the respective ID badge110 has any undelivered messages. If so, the process is directed to stepS23. If not, the process is directed to step S24.

In process step S23, the CPU communicates any undelivered message to therespective ID reader 120, which in turn transmits the undeliveredmessages to the respective ID badge 110 using the respective ID readertransmitter 122 and the respective ID badge receiver 114. The respectiveID badge 110 then displays the undelivered messages using the respectiveID badge display 119 (FIG. 1). The process then continues to step S24.

In process step S24, the CPU 140 determines whether the respective IDbadge 110 is associated with a search. If so, the process is directed tostep S25. If not, the process is directed to step S30.

In process step S25, the CPU derives a route from the current locationof the respective ID badge 110 to the destination. The process thencontinues to step S26, where the CPU 140 determines whether therespective ID badge 110 has reached the destination. If so, the processis directed to step S28. If not, the process is directed to step S27.

In process step S27, the CPU 140 communicates the proper direction oftravel to the respective ID badge 110 using the respective ID reader120. The respective ID badge display 119 conveys this direction to thewearer. The process then continues to step S30.

In process step S28, the CPU 140 cancels the search, and the processcontinues to step S29. In step S29, the CPU 140 communicates the factthat the wearer has reached his destination to the respective ID badge110 using the respective ID reader 120. The process then continues tostep S30.

In process step S30, the process is ended.

In addition to providing convenience as described above, the monitoringsystem 100 may be used to provide safety. The respective ID readers 120located adjacent entrances and exits as described above detect any IDbadge 110 attempting to leave the defined area. Furthermore, eachrespective ID badge microcontroller 118 notifies the CPU 140 byactuating the transmission of an alarm signal 186 by the respective IDbadge transmitter 112 if the respective ID badge 110 is disabled. Thisprotects against the abduction of the wearers of the respective IDbadges 110 and keeps the wearers from wandering off.

It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have beenillustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar assuch limitations are included in the following claims and allowablefunctional equivalents thereof.

1. A system for monitoring a person's location in a defined area,comprising: a plurality of ID readers, each respective ID reader havinga reader transmitter and a reader receiver for transmitting andreceiving signals, respectively, each respective ID reader having apredetermined reader transmission identifier different from apredetermined reader transmission identifier of any other said IDreader, each respective ID reader including means for including arespective reader transmission identifier in a respective signal; aplurality of ID badges remote from said plurality of ID readers, eachrespective ID badge having a badge receiver for receiving query signalsfrom a respective ID reader and a badge transmitter for transmittingreply signals to a respective ID reader, each respective badgetransmitter baying a predetermined badge transmission identifierdifferent from a predetermined badge transmission identifier of anyother said badge transmitter, each respective ID badge including meansfor including a respective badge transmission identifier in a respectivereply signal; a CPU in communication with a data storage unit formaintaining ID badge information, said CPU including means forrecognizing a respective badge transmission identifier and means forassociating said respective badge transmission identifier with acorresponding ID badge, said CPU including means for recognizing arespective reader transmission identifier and means for associating saidrespective reader transmission identifier with a corresponding IDreader; means for communicating between said CPU and said plurality ofID readers; a plurality of kiosks remotely positioned in a spaced-apartrelationship relative to said CPU for allowing a respective wearer of arespective ID badge to access information from said CPU pertinent tosaid wearer; means for communicating between said CPU and said pluralityof kiosks; wherein respective ID reader is positioned adjacent at leastone attraction; and wherein said CPU includes means for determining await time at said at least one attraction based upon the number of saidID badges detected at said at least one attraction.
 2. The system as inclaim 1, wherein: said plurality of ID readers is a plurality of RFIDreaders; and said plurality of ID badges is a plurality of RFID badges.3. The system as in claim 2, wherein each said RFID badge is an activeRFID badge having a power source for powering said respective ID badgetransmitter.
 4. The system as in claim 3, wherein each respective RFIDbadge includes a microcontroller and a display in communication withsaid microcontroller for conveying information to a wearer of saidrespective RFID badge.
 5. The system as in claim 1, wherein eachrespective ID badge includes a microcontroller in communication with aplurality of LEDs and a power source for conveying information to awearer of said respective ID badge.
 6. The system as in claim 1 wherein:each respective ID badge includes means for transmitting an alarm signalwhen said respective ID badge is removed or disabled; said CPU iselectrically connected to an alarm; and said CPU includes means foractuating said alarm when said CPU receives a respective alarm signal.7. The system as in claim 1, wherein said CPU is in communication with adata input device for inputting data to said CPU.
 8. The system as inclaim 1, wherein each respective kiosk includes a kiosk input device anda kiosk display.
 9. The system as in claim 1, wherein: at least one saidkiosk includes a money acceptor; said CPU includes means for associatinga respective amount of money with a respective ID badge; and said CPUincludes means for updating a respective amount of money associated witha respective ID badge according to an amount of money accepted by saidmoney acceptor.
 10. The system as in claim 1, wherein a respective IDreader is positioned adjacent each respective kiosk for detecting thepresence of a respective ID badge.
 11. The system as in claim 1, whereinsaid means for communicating between said CPU and said plurality of IDreaders includes an electrical connection between said CPU and saidplurality of ID readers.
 12. The system as in claim 1, wherein: saidmeans for communicating between said CPU and said plurality of kiosksincludes an electrical connection between said CPU and said plurality ofkiosks; and said means for communicating between said CPU and saidplurality of ID readers includes an electrical connection between saidCPU and said plurality of ID readers.
 13. A system for monitoring peoplein a defined area, comprising: a plurality of ID readers, eachrespective ID reader having a reader transmitter for transmittingunprocessed signals including query signals and a reader receiver forreceiving reply signals, alarm signals, and processed signals; aplurality of ID badges remote from said plurality of ID readers, eachrespective ID badge having a badge receiver for receiving said querysignals from a respective ID reader and a badge transmitter fortransmitting said reply signals and said alarm signals, each respectivebadge transmitter having a predetermined badge transmission identifierdifferent from a predetermined badge transmission identifier of anyother said badge transmitter, each respective ID badge including meansfor including a respective badge transmission identifier in respectivereply and alarm signals; a CPU in communication with a data storage unitfor maintaining ID badge information, a CPU transmitter for transmittingprocessed signals, and a CPU receiver for receiving unprocessed signals,said CPU including means for recognizing a respective badge transmissionidentifier included in respective reply and alarm signals and means forassociating said respective badge transmission identifier with acorresponding ID badge; a plurality of kiosks remotely positioned in aspaced-apart relationship relative to said CPU for allowing a respectivewearer of a respective ID badge to access information from said CPUpertinent to said wearer, each respective kiosk having a kiosktransmitter for transmitting said unprocessed signals and a kioskreceiver for receiving said processed signals; wherein each respectivekiosk includes a kiosk input device and a kiosk display; wherein eachrespective ID badge has a microcontroller in communication with aplurality of LEDs and a power source for conveying information to awearer of said respective ID badge; and wherein said CPU includes meansfor guiding an ID badge wearer to a destination determined by saidwearer at a respective kiosk, said means for guiding including means forselectively actuating respective LED.
 14. The system as in claim 13,wherein: said plurality of ID readers is a plurality of RFID readers;and each said ID badge is an active RFID badge having a power source forpowering said respective ID badge transmitter.
 15. The system as inclaim 13, wherein said CPU includes means for selectively associatingtogether respective ID badges for allowing a wearer of one associated IDbadge to locate a wearer of another associated ID badge.
 16. The systemas in claim 13, wherein: said ID badge LEDs are positioned in an arrayto indicate direction, each respective LED having a respective positionin said array indicative of a respective direction; and said means forguiding includes means for selectively actuating a respective LEDaccording to said position of the respective LED in said array.
 17. Asystem for monitoring a person's location in a defined area, comprising:a plurality of ID readers, each respective ID reader having a readertransmitter and a reader receiver for transmitting and receivingsignals, respectively, each respective ID reader having a predeterminedreader transmission identifier different from a predetermined readertransmission identifier of any other said ID reader, each respective IDreader including means for including a respective reader transmissionidentifier in a respective signal; a plurality of ID badges remote fromsaid plurality of ID readers, each respective ID badge having a badgereceiver for receiving query signals from a respective ID reader and abadge transmitter for transmitting reply signals to a respective IDreader, each respective badge transmitter having a predetermined badgetransmission identifier different from a predetermined badgetransmission identifier of any other said badge transmitter, eachrespective ID badge including means for including a respective badgetransmission identifier in a respective reply signal; a CPU incommunication with a data storage unit for maintaining ID badgeinformation, said CPU including means for recognizing a respective badgetransmission identifier and means for associating said respective badgetransmission identifier with a corresponding ID badge, said CPUincluding means for recognizing a respective reader transmissionidentifier and means for associating said respective reader transmissionidentifier with a corresponding ID reader; means for communicatingbetween said CPU and said plurality of ID readers; a plurality of kiosksremotely positioned in a spaced-apart relationship relative to said CPUfor allowing a respective wearer of a respective ID badge to accessinformation from said CPU pertinent to said wearer; means forcommunicating between said CPU and said plurality of kiosks; wherein:said CPU includes means for associating a respective amount of moneywith a respective ID badge; and said CPU includes means for updating arespective amount of money associated with a respective ID badge. 18.The system as in claim 17, wherein: at least one kiosk includes a moneyaccepter; and said means for updating said respective amount of moneyassociated with said respective ID badge is according to an amount ofmoney accepted by said accepter.
 19. The system as in claim 17, whereinsaid means for updating said respective amount of money associated withsaid respective ID badge is according to a quantity of tickets purchasedusing said respective ID badge.
 20. The system as in claim 17, wherein:said plurality of ID readers is a plurality of RFID readers; and saidplurality of ID badges is a plurality of RFID badges.